Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-04
GOVERNOR DECLINES
DOESN'T ACCEPT An INVITATION 70
VISIT CLUvERIUs IN JAIL.
The Prisoners Book. and What It Is MeAAs
TO Do, &C., &c, &c.

Willie Cluverfus recently wrote letter
to Governor Lee urging him to visit the
prisoner In Jail II he could not have the
prisoner brought TO him. The supposed
purpose OF the invitation was that Cluye-
rius might explain his case to the Cover
nor.
When the prisoners petition for Execu-
tive clemency was before the Governor bis
counsel proposed that an arrangement
should be made by which Cluverius should
be brought to the Capitol, there
to be interrogated by the Governor,
but the latter declined the proposition.
He expressed readiness to read
anything that accused might write,
but forbore TO pursue the extraordinary
course OF putting the petitioner through
an examination. Cluverius did make
statement; the Governor read II aud con-
sidered it, and decided that nothing con-
tanned in it warranted him In setting aside
the judgment OF the courts. That being
his decision then, il IL fair to assume that he
has rejected this later proposition. The
Dispatch asked the Governor for leave to
copy the letter OF Willie CluverIus and
the reply thereto. The Governor sold
that he bad no objection, but that Willie
CluverIus had requested him not 10 give The
correspondence to the press. Willie Clu-
yerius was then applied 10, but he, too, de-
clined to give the letters for publication.
The Dispatch can therefore only state what
it believes to be the gist Of the matter
viz, that Willie Cluyerius wished the
Governor to have talk with the prl-
soner; that the Governor refused.
PROM MEMBERS.
rhe Governor has received letters from
several members OF the Legislature stating
that they had received circulars asking
them to request him to grant reprleve 10
Cluyerius until after the Legislature con-
yenes, il II should be called In extra ses-
sion, and saving that they would have to
decline complying with such request;
that the case had been settled by the Judi.
cal and Executive departments OF the gov
ernment, to which II properly belonged,
and that they failed TO see what the Legl
latIye department had to do with it; and,
further, that II by any chance the matter
should be brought before the Legislature
that that body would undoubtedly decline
to take any action.
Cluyerius having sent a request 10 the
Hon. John s. Wise to visit him in jail, that
gentltma went TO see him yesterday and
had an interview with the prisoner lasting
more than two hours. To representative
OF the press, who approached him on the
subject, Mr.. Wise said that he had nothing
for publication.
CLUyERIUs AS AN AUTHOR.
CluYerius's book will make about two
hundred pages in print, and will be ga
complete history OF his lite." II will be
published with the hope that the receipts
from IL Will, TO some extent, ut least, re-
imburse his aunt Mrs. Jane runstall, for
the large expenditures for his defence
which she has made. This lady, from being
in very comfortable circumstances, has al
most impoverished herself in providing
means to fight the prisoners battles. The
book is written entirely by the prisoner.
No other person has had q hand in IL,
and be has received no assistance except
from the Rev. Mr. Pitt, who has been good
enough TO do some copying for him. 1t Is
said that Cluverius writes ia short sem
tences and puts bis points we'll. IL is not
decided by whom or when the book will
be published. Those nearest 70 the pri-
sOner declare that there will be no eOnfes-
sion that the prisoner has nothing to con-
fess.
The movement TO secure signatures from
the members OF the General Assembly has
met with III success. and it now looks "a II
the deah.sentence viii surely be executed
on the 14th instant. The prisoner is hardly
Whist can be called resigned" Evidently
hope has not yet died In his breast. HIS
temperament IS OF the sanguine sort, and he
is disposed to magnify every little thing
that be secs questioning the Justice OF the
verdict into a ray OF hope. The decision OF
the Governor reprieving him from Decem'
ber 10th TO January lith was made to give
the prisoner time to devote TO Spiritual al
fairs. and, while an extension will undOubt-
edly be asked for. there are, as yet, no signs
that IL will be granted